Together Again: Brooklin Spring Fair returns after two-year absence

After two years of pandemic delays and cancellations Brooklin residents figured it was time to get re-acquainted with each other again. And what better place than the iconic (and twice-delayed) Brooklin Spring Fair?

More than 100 years of history was interrupted for the past two years by the pandemic and the organizers of the annual fair wanted to make sure the 2022 event would be memorable for residents and visitors alike.

The theme this year is ‘Together Again’ and that slogan captures the spirit of the Brooklin Fair perfectly, said Nicole Scott, a member of the board of directors and this year’s 2nd Vice-President.

“We are ready to open our doors and be back in the community again,” said Scott, whose family has been helping run the fair for many years. “We are ready to be together again.”

Back are most of the popular events that made the Brooklin Fair one of the biggest spring fairs in the province, with an average of 30,000 attendees over the four days. The Ram Rodeo Tour returns, complete with bull and bronco riding and barrel racing, and the demolition derby is always a smash hit. The Truck ‘n Tractor Pull brings out the crowds and the agriculture shows and exhibits have been a crowd-pleaser since the Fair’s early days.

Inside the agriculture tent is ‘No Harm of the Farm,’ a safety adventure dedicated to kids’ safety at home and on the farm.

There are agriculture competitions to satisfy the 4-H in all of us, in fact, with judging for cattle, sheep, poultry and waterfowl, dairy goat, rabbits, miniature horses and even a youth equestrian competition, as well as honey and maple syrup and farm & field cop exhibits.

There are competitions for everyone’s tastes, from pie-eating contests to nail-driving and log-sawing competitions to spelling bees and youth talent shows and even a (virtual) cute baby contest.

The midway, of course, will still be where most of the families gravitate to. What’s a fair without some cotton candy and a ride on the Ferris wheel?

There will also be buskers, including the Fire Guy, Birds of Prey demonstrations and home crafts for sale inside the arena.

“We are excited to back again,” said Scott.

The Brooklin Spring Fair started in 1911 as a one day event held by residents on the site of Grass Park in Downtown Brooklin.

The Fair was originally held on May 24 to showcase the highest quality of livestock in southern Ontario, with local youth competing in running races and other sporting events and their parents finishing the day with a community dance. Admission to early Fairs was 25c for adults and 10c for children.

In 1914 the Fair moved to Meadowcrest Farm and then its current location, Luther Vipond Memorial Arena and Community Park, in 1921. A non-profit volunteer organization, the Brooklin Fair supports several local community groups, such as the Ontario Volunteer Emergency Rescue Team, Brooklin Community Centre and Library and the Brooklin Lacrosse Club.

The fair opens today (Thursday) at 4 p.m. and runs to Sunday at 5 p.m.

Complete hours of operation are Thursday 4-10, Friday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (gates close at 3).

For the full schedule, see https://www.brooklinspringfair.com/2021-schedule/